Give your lands first: Farmers

Farmers ire

If our land is absolutely required for such development, then let you and your party leaders first give your own lands to us farmers. Build our villages there, near your lands. Instead of asking small and marginal farmers owning one or two acres to sacrifice everything in the name of a “great Future City” and the “nation’s future,” let that sacrifice begin with you and your party leaders."

metro india news  I hyderabad

A fresh controversy has emerged over the government’s Future City project, with farmers accusing the administration of reneging on earlier assurances regarding land protection. The issue gained prominence following recent remarks by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Future City Police Commissionerate. According to farmers, Revanth stated that farmers dissatisfied with compensation could purchase land elsewhere.

In response, members of the Anti Pharma City Struggle Committee issued a strong statement expressing disappointment and alleging a breach of trust. In a pointed appeal, the farmers urged the Chief Minister and ruling party leaders to set an example by offering their own lands for the project, arguing that true sacrifice for development should begin with those in power.

“If our land is absolutely required for such development, then let you and your party leaders first give your own lands to us farmers. Build our villages there, near your lands. Instead of asking small and marginal farmers owning one or two acres to sacrifice everything in the name of a “great Future City” and the “nation’s future,” let that sacrifice begin with you and your party leaders."

They recalled that during his time in the opposition, Revanth Reddy, the then PCC Chief had personally assured affected farmers that their lands would be protected. Several senior leaders, including Bhatti Vikramarka, Seethakka, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Kodanda Reddy, and Malreddy Rangareddy, had also participated in padayatras, urging farmers not to part with their lands and promising to cancel the land acquisition if voted to power.

Farmers argue that while the government claimed to have scrapped the Pharma City project, the relevant Government Order has not been formally revoked. They allege that the shift from Pharma City to Future City represents a continuation of land acquisition under a different name, without transparent communication prior to elections.

Adding to the tension, tribal farmers located just five kilometers from the project site have reportedly been on a relay hunger strike for 46 days, demanding the cancellation of land acquisition and associated infrastructure projects such as the Greenfield Road. Protesters say their concerns remain unheard despite prolonged agitation.

Farmers from four villages (Kurmidda, Tatiparthi, Nanaknagar, Medipally), who have secured court stay orders to retain their lands, expressed anguish over what they describe as a stark contrast between past assurances and current policy directions. They criticized the government’s suggestion to relocate, calling it dismissive of their livelihoods and cultural ties to the land.